1963 Corvette

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe

Description

For 1963 the Corvette was completely redesigned with a new frame,
suspension, body, and interior. Designed by Bill Mitchell, it was now
called the Corvette Sting Ray.

1963 was the first year of a fixed-roof coupe Corvette, but the
convertible was still available. For 1963 only, the rear window on the
coupe was split into two sections, and thus the car became known as the
"split window coupe" or the "split window Corvette." Hidden headlights
were also added, and there was now no external trunk. The center section
of the instrument gauges was silver for this year only.

Independent rear suspension was now standard, and for the first time,
power steering and power brakes were optional. Air conditioning and
aluminum knock-off wheels were also optional for the first time.

1963 Corvette Key Differences

A 1963 Corvette can easily be recognized by the fake hood grills, and the
split rear window in the coupes, both of which were specific to this model
year. Also the C-pillars had non-functional louvers (indentations) which had
no grills or trim for 1963 only.

Similar Years

The 1963 to 1967 Corvettes shared the same basic body design other than the
split window of the '63 Vette. Different trim, side louvers, and engines
differentiate the various years.

How to Identify a 1963 Corvette

Overview

C2 Corvette body style (1963-1967)

Coupe body shown

1963 Corvette Hood Grills

Two fake grills were recessed into the forward section of the hood (1963)

1963 Corvette Split Window

In the coupes, the rear window was split down the center into two sections (1963)

1963 coupes are often referred to as "split window Corvettes" or "split window
coupes"

1963 Corvette Roof Vents

Two indentations or fake roof vents were added to the coupe. They had no grill
or trim for the first year (1963)

1963 Corvette Fender Louvers

Fender louvers replaced the side cove panel of the earlier Corvettes. (1963-67)

Fake louvers with two indentations were initially used (1963-64)

1963 Corvette Grill

Front grill consisted of thin horizontal chrome bars (1963-64)

1963 Corvette Fuel Filler Door

Design of the fuel filler door was unique to this year (1963)

1963 Corvette Rear Deck

Carried over from the C1 Corvette, the "ducktail" rear deck design continued for
the whole C2 Corvette run (1963-67)

1963 Corvette Tail lights

Dual round tail lights on each side continued (1963-67)

1963 Corvette Sting Ray Badge

The Corvette gained the "Sting Ray" designation which was first used on a Chevrolet
race car in 1957 (1963-65)

1963 Corvette Front Emblem

Front crossed-flags emblem was new for 1963 (1963-67)

1963 Corvette Hidden Headlights

For the first time, Corvette headlights were hidden. A motor rotated the housing to reveal
dual headlights on each side (1963-67)

1963 Corvette Fender Emblem

The crossed-flags fender emblem was a carry over from the previous generation
(1963-65)

1963 Corvette Interior

The interior was all new for the first year of the C2 Vette (1963-67)

Optional wood-grained plastic steering wheel shown (1963)

1963 Corvette Dash

The center section of the instrument gauges was silver (1963)

Steering wheel with color-coordinated rim was standard (1963)

1963 Corvette Seats

These seats are unique to the '63 Vette. They would be changed slightly for
1964 (1963)

1963 Corvette Knock Off Wheels

1963 was the first year for the optional cast aluminum knock-off wheels (1963-66)

1963 Corvette Fuel Injection Engine

The fuel injected 327 small block Chevy engine produced 360 horsepower and 352
foot-pounds of torque in 1963

Field Guide to American Autos

Need help identifying a classic car from the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, or 1980's?
Old Cars Guide .com has illustrated make and model guides to help you identify the
most popular vintage North American automobiles. Year to year and generational
changes are outlined in easy to use picture identification guides.

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